A day after Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in a TV interview that talks on Kashmir should be multilateral, he assured Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi that he stands with India in its fight against terror.
During the bilateral meeting, India maintained that Kashmir was an integral part of the country and no third party involvement was acceptable to the Government. New Delhi categorically conveyed that Kashmir was essentially a terrorism issue and India wanted to resolve all outstanding issues with Pakistan bilaterally as per the Shimla and lahore agreements.
Erdogan is a close friend of Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif in particular. Sources said the Turkey President listened to India’s statement on Kashmir carefully but did not comment. However, when Modi raised the issue of cross border movement of terrorists and the need for nations to work together to combat the menace, Erdogan said his country will always be with India in its battle against terrorism, adding “terrorist will be drowned in the blood they shed”. Erdogan also condemned the brutal Naxal attack in Sukma last Monday in which 26 CRPF personnel were killed.
“We live in times where our societies face new threats and challenges every day. The context and contours of some of the existing and emerging security challenges globally is our common concern. In particular, the constantly evolving threat from terrorism is our shared worry. I held an extensive conversation with the President on this subject. We agreed that no intent or goal no reason or rationale can validate terrorism,” Modi said in a statement before the media after the talks with Erdogan.
The PM also pitched for disrupting terrorist network, their financing and putting a stop to cross-border movement of terrorists and nations need to stand, act against states that finance cross-border terror. He added that there was a need to take action against those who provide shelter and support to terrorists.
“Nations of the world need to work as one to disrupt terrorist networks and their financing, and put a stop to cross-border movement of terrorists. Constant threat of terrorism is our shared worry,” the PM said.
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Gopal Baglay said that there was convergence between the two sides on issues related to terrorism with strong condemnation to it.
The Turkish side raised the issue of Fethullah Gullen Terrorist Organisation (FETO), whom the Erdogan Government termed responsible for the abortive coup attempt in the country. “Fethullah group is a terrorist network,” Erdogan said.
The MEA spokesperson said the Turkish concerns on FETO were mentioned to India to which the Indian side replied that any organisation has to work in the country as per parameters of the Indian law and that there was no scope for illegal groups functioning in India.
Earlier the two leaders held comprehensive discussion on bilateral relations and discussed ways to enhance political and economic engagements. Three agreements were signed relating to Information and Communication Technologies, tie-up between Foreign Service Institute of India and Diplomacy Academy Turkey, and a Cultural Exchange Programme for 2017-2020.
Erdogan called for reforms in the UNSC and supported India’s bid for a permanent seat. The PM thanked him for supporting India’s aspiration in international bodies like the USC, Nuclear Suppliers Group, Missile Technology Control Regime and Wassenaar Group for export control of conventional arms.
In the morning, the two leaders invited business leaders to improve trade ties and increase investments in each other’s country. Modi urged Turkish businessmen to be part of India’s flagship programme like Make in India and the Smart Cities. India and Turkey have set a trade target of 10 billion dollar by 2020.
Addressing the business gathering as “Pyare Doston” Erdogan pushed for increasing trade volume and to begin talks on Free Trade Agreement. He added that Turkish companies will be eager to take part in Smart City projects, co-invest in Indian infrastructure, share experience in renewable energy and have cooperation in civil nuclear sector. He also invited Indian tourists to visit Turkey adding 79 ,000 Indians visited Turkey for tourism, but “we want more Indian tourists. Come to Turkey for your honeymoon.” He added Turkish Airlines would like to increase flights to India